THE GAME

Most people here seem to dismiss this album because it marked the beginning of Queen's more pop-oriented, radio-friendly era. But as long as the music they create remains good, I don't see the problem. Many progressive bands ventured into pop in the '80s, but none did so as successfully as Queen. They were perhaps the only rock band able to make pop music as powerful and captivating as their prog masterpieces from the mid-seventies.

This album has many highlights, including some of the best Queen songs ever. The beautiful ballad "Save Me," the funk/disco/rock crossover hit "Another One Bites The Dust," and the Presley-inspired rockabilly track "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" were the biggest hits, but the album is packed with other great songs. "Dragon Attack" is a powerful rocker with a pounding beat, featuring John Deacon's excellent bass playing and Brian May's intriguing guitar work. "Need Your Loving Tonight" is a power pop gem, blending elements of ELO, The Beatles, and The Knack. "Sail Away Sweet Sister" is one of the most beautiful ballads May has ever written. "Play The Game" and "Don't Try Suicide" are both solid tracks?not exceptional, but far from weak. The new wave-inspired "Rock It" and "Coming Soon" by Roger Taylor are likely the weakest on the record.

In summary, if you're not a prog purist who dismisses anything outside the genre, and you can appreciate the quality of the music itself, regardless of genre, then go ahead and buy this album now! On any other site, I'd give it five stars without hesitation as it's a truly essential masterpiece?just not of prog music, of course, so I'll lower my rating to four stars. It's a shame to see so many great Queen records rated so low here. At first glance, you'd think there were many duds, but that's clearly not true. They simply weren't "prog" enough to suit the tastes of most reviewers here, but Queen remains one of the best and most influential rock bands ever!